Matters of State

by Philip Hamburger

This collection of essays, chosen by the Philip Hamburger from his 60 years of writing for The New Yorker , chronicles not only the people of US political life (Judge Learned Hand, Fiorello La Guardia, Dean Acheson, FDR, Eisenhower, Reagan, Clinton), but also the places and events, with special emphasis on presidential inaugurations (the author has attended, he thinks, 14). Here is one man's view, both funny and serious, of the glorious diversity of American politics--and of the better angels of our nature.

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2000

About the author

Dr. Philip Hamburger is a scholar of constitutional law and its history at Columbia Law School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his J.D. from Yale Law School. Before coming to Columbia, he was the John P. Wilson Professor at the University of Chicago Law School. He also taught at George Washington University Law School, Northwestern Law School, University of Virginia Law School, and the University of Connecticut Law School. His work on administrative power has been celebrated by organizations like the Manhattan Institute and the Bradley Foundation.

Reviews

[Jim Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays from the author's long career. The writing is very good. The articles about various presidential inaugurations brings the events to life. Visits with politicians and judges convey a wonderful feeling of intimacy with these public figures.